Small businesses trying to read the tea leaves about the strength of the economic recovery might want to consider asking themselves not when, but where is the rebound? That’s because many countries around the world are emerging from the recession more rapidly than the United States, and now is the time for small businesses to take advantage of the trend.

I had the opportunity to ask Janice Corbett, acting minister counselor for commercial affairs at the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) in Canada, what U.S. companies should know about the Canadian market. Janice has worked with the U.S. embassy for four years and held the position of acting counselor for about six months.

Scott Davis, chairman and CEO of UPS, is the author of an opinion piece published in the Wall Street Journal:

Long-term investments should be rewarded with lower rates

There is no question the U.S. economy is showing encouraging signs of recovery. But the recovery is fragile, and we should not do anything that would dampen or jeopardize its momentum. Businesses and individuals should therefore take note that the country is moving inexorably toward an increase in capital gains tax rates. This increase is not being sufficiently debated in Congress but could have a major impact on economic growth, job creation and long-term investment in America.